District Vs. Royalty - Antigone blogpost 5/13

Kathryn Hoar
World Literature Honors
Ms. Kennett
13 May 2012


As the epidemic, also known as Suzanne Collins’ fictional story - The Hunger Games - spreads, it has become obvious that it is very relatable to real-life and even other stories. As strange and alarming as the relation to real-life might sound, The Hunger Games seems as if it is a parallel to society, especially paired with Sophocles’ Antigone. In The Hunger Games, the Districts unite as one through finding a common ground by seeking entertainment in watching tributes from each District (even children) brutally slay each other to the death; the “fittest” one left as a survivor and winner. In Antigone, the main character Antigone typically listens to herself, not allowing society to consume her, but also focusing on quenching her thirst for power. These two texts serve as evidence to support the notion that society is built around the idea that each day is an individual battle of survival of the fittest.

In order to survive, Antigone and Katniss (of the Hunger Games) both come to the subconscious conclusion that leadership is the key. Antigone's actions are motivated by her drive to be independent and self-sufficient. For example, she ignores the wishes of her uncle Creon and buries her brother, Polyneices', body. In the Hunger Games, Katniss is always defending herself. With the help of Rue, she succeeds, but when Rue dies her drive to live becomes more powerful and she finds every loop-hole possible in order to come out on top and provide a hopeful closure for District 11.